Durable nitrile gloves reduce the risk of dermatitis while providing wearers with softness, comfort, and superior protection
Not all gloves are created equally. That’s what 15 dentists and hygienists found out after putting Henry Schein’s Criterion Pure Freedom Nitrile Gloves to the test in their offices. Gloves are an essential part of the dental team’s workflow. It can be a struggle to find latex-free gloves that are comfortable and that fit well without being too tight or creating floppy fingers. But then there’s glove tearing and slipping to worry about—all challenges that our team of evaluators was hoping to solve.
As part of the Dental Product Shopper evaluation, Criterion Pure Freedom Nitrile Gloves were rated by each evaluator on key features like comfort, fit, strength, and grip. All but one evaluator said they would recommend the sterile nitrile gloves to other dental professionals, and hygienist Amber Metro-Sanchez commented, “I absolutely love these gloves and I would recommend them highly to anyone.”
Strength and Ease of Donning
The 2 mil-thick gloves come 200 to a box in a unique slate blue color that was a hit among evaluators. One hygienist said the gloves dispensed from the box easily, and Robin Greenberg added, “I liked the feel and ease of putting the glove on.” According to Dr. Tawfiq Alkilani, they had less tear when donning, and Tessa Simpson agreed, remarking on how she never tore a glove considering how thin they are. “Even when they get wet they don’t start to break down,” added hygienist Michelle Wood, who also appreciated that the gloves do not tear when stretched.
Dr. Carolyn Shreck, who is always searching for a more natural feeling glove, said these sterile nitrile gloves had good durability, adding that they “did not snag and tear easily like some thinner gloves.” Michelle Goodrow also appreciated the “thin but protective feel.” While most evaluators agreed that donning was simple, Dr. Bruce Barr felt the gloves were too stiff when trying to put on.
“I can tell this is a high quality and durable product,” said Metro-Sanchez. “Very seldom did any gloves have any type of defect. I know this is a product that I can rely on to make me and my patients both feel safe.”
Comfort and Fit
Finding well-fitting gloves was a problem for hygienist Michelle Fasbinder. She wears small gloves and said sometimes they would fit her fingers well but feel too tight on her palm. “I feel they actually fit well and were not too snug,” she said of Criterion Pure Freedom Nitrile Gloves. “They were very soft and it felt like you were not wearing anything.” Simpson, who wears between an XS and S glove, said the gloves “fit great and were not loose at all.” Wood said her dental team experienced “less fatigue in our hands and fingers from poor fitting gloves,” while Amy Lindsey said the fit was good enough that she didn’t really notice them while working.
“A lot of gloves don’t fit my hands properly as I have long, slender fingers,” said Metro-Sanchez, adding that Criterion nitrile gloves fit on her hands “like a second skin.” One evaluator commented on the longer wrist coverage, while Greenberg, who said the glove’s fit was her favorite feature, appreciated the generous cuff that fit over her watch without tearing the material. Dr. Shreck said, “The dark indigo color is awesome.” Her office uses aloe-coated Criterion gloves with a similar fit and thickness but they only come in hot pink, which some of her colleagues don’t like. “This Freedom Nitrile has a similar feel but comes in a less shocking color which some of the providers prefer,” she said.
Grip and Tactile Sensitivity
The gloves are designed with textured fingertips to improve grip. Dr. Alkilani felt the “grip was excellent,” while Wood liked that they are not restricting and have “great tactile sensitivity.” “These gloves have excellent grip and I almost feel like they are not there when I have them on,” noted Dr. Shreck, adding that they maintain their flexibility without getting slippery.
A key component of powder-free Criterion nitrile gloves is that they are made without the use of chemical accelerators or sulfur to prevent type-I and type-IV allergic reactions. That means clinicians can stay comfortable and protected without the risk of dermatitis. “I can treat patients who have latex allergies and not even worry if some of them don’t know if they are allergic,” said Dr. Roy Joseph.
Overall Satisfaction
Goodrow described the Criterion nitrile gloves “as good if not slightly better than any glove I have tried in 30 years,” while Metro-Sanchez said the staff loved the gloves and hoped to incorporate them into their practice. Dr. Bradley Dykstra, who was looking for a glove everyone could use and limit the different types of gloves he stocks, said Criterion Pure Freedom Nitrile Gloves were “a great product” that “should reduce our inventory types.” Fasbinder works in public health and concluded, “I have some very difficult patients so it was nice to have comfortable gloves to help me get the job done.”
